Our Blacksmith Experience Days take place in the museum's rebuilt Victorian forge, and are lead by our experienced blacksmiths. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the blacksmith and make your own simple hand forged object to take home. You will be shown how the forge works and will use an anvil, in what will be an extremely enjoyable yet physical experience. No previous experience is necessary. Participants must be aged 18 or over. 

During this course you will learn a little of the history of straw craft, harvest traditions and the hat trade, through to the decorative uses of today.

You will learn how to prepare the heritage long wheat straw that will be used during the day, and make several decorated items to take home.

No previous experience necessary.

There will be a short lunch break; please bring a packed lunch or you can purchase refreshments from our catering outlet in Skippings Barn.

Included in your experience:

• Tuition from our experienced course leader
• All equipment and materials
• Participants can take home everything that they have made on the day

Length of workshop: 10:30am - 3:30pm

Minimum age: 16
Number of participants: 6

In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.

Using dried willow, Gina will demonstrate the basic techniques you will need to create your own sculpture. This is a ‘hands on’ course and you will go home with your own willow dragonfly and a small obelisk. For those more adventurous souls and if time permits the obelisk can grow into your own design, be it an animal, fruit or abstract piece.

You will be supplied with information about the different types of willow, where to obtain your materials and how to store it should you wish to develop your weaving skills further at home.

Gina Martin studied at the Royal College of Art gaining an MA in Sculpture and she has been leading workshops for all ages and abilities for over 25 years.

Included in the experience day

• Tuition from our experienced course leader
• All materials

There will be an hour break for lunch, please bring your own food and drink or you can purchase them from our on-site catering.

Please Note: We kindly ask that you provide a pair of secateurs and a small screwdriver. This is to ensure that you do not share tools with other participants. 

Length of workshop: 10.30am – 4pm
Minimum age: 12 years +
Number of participants: 10

Experience a unique view of Chiltern Open Air Museum with award-winning photographer Matt Writtle.

Join Matt on an experiential photography walk that is designed to enhance your photography skills, appreciation of nature and the history of the museum. The photography workshop is a 4 hour session starting at 11am.

Matt is a professional documentary and portrait photographer who has developed a reputation photographing a wide range of portraits, from celebrities to everyday people, for clients such as The Times, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard. His documentary projects have included Portraits for Posterity – Photographs of Holocaust Survivors in Great Britain which has been exhibited at numerous locations across the country.

Matt will be sharing his passion and skill set, developed from 30 years as a professional photographer, to teach you the fundamental skills of photography from beginner to advanced to help you start shooting like a pro!

This is a great opportunity to learn how to take distinct photographs using your smartphone or camera to record your journeys, experiences and special moments. Perfect for those who want their Instagram accounts to stand out.

All you need is an inquisitive mind.

You’ll need:
– A smartphone or camera
– A drink and packed lunch
– Sensible walking shoes and clothing

*Walking Grade (1-2 easy/moderate)

Price £100 per person

Camera Skills Workshop

Take control of your camera at Chiltern Open Air Museum with professional photographer Cat Humphries.

Over the course of this 4 hour workshop you will discover how to get out of auto mode and capture better images with your camera. With friendly tuition, easy to learn techniques and guided practice photographing the beautiful Chiltern Open Air Museum site, you'll feel more confident with your camera and capture great images to take home. 

Cat Humphries is a professional theatre & event photographer. She has been a PAGB camera club judge since 2016, critiquing photographs for photographic societies across the country. Leading workshops and talks on photography skills for over ten years, her passion is to encourage people to enjoy the image making process and get creative with their photography.

Ideal for those wanting to experiment more with their advanced compact, bridge, mirrorless or DSLR camera, the workshop will take place in Elliot & Sons workroom at Chiltern Open Air Museum. We’ll start by learning the different camera settings we can use, what angle or lens works best for different types of images and how we can create better photographs using simple techniques. Then we’ll put the theory into practice around the museum site, as we explore the photographic possibilities of the heritage buildings and traditional gardens.

The Camera Skills Workshop is limited to 6 people to allow participants to ask questions and get one-to-one advice from Cat throughout the session.

You’ll need:

• An advanced compact, bridge, mirrorless or DSLR camera
• A drink and packed lunch (there will also be the opportunity to buy a drink or snack at Skippings Barn during a short lunch break)
• Sensible walking shoes and clothing

*Walking Grade (1-2 easy/moderate)

Price £100 per person

Sewing MachinEase Workshop

For sewing machine owners who want to unlock their genius and master their machine like a pro!
Do you have a sewing machine shoved away in a cupboard that you keep looking at and long to use?
Have you been inspired by the BBC programme The Great British Sewing Bee and itching to start making garments?

Or perhaps you used to love making your own clothes or it’s something that you did when you were younger and it's been so long  since you stitched anything that you don’t even remember how to thread your machine?

Then book yourself onto this sewing workshop.

Sewing MachinEase

• A 1-day interactive sewing machine mastery workshop
• For beginners who want to conquer their fear of their sewing machine and become a confident sewist.

What’s Covered

• Discover the secrets of threading your machine with ease, so you can start sewing your dream projects without getting tangled or frustrated!
• Master the art of adjusting your machine's dials, buttons, and knobs, and achieve perfect results every time - no more wonky seams or uneven stitches!
• Create a practical and stylish apron project under my expert guidance, and leave with a useful garment you made yourself - a beautiful reminder of your newfound sewing skills and an enjoyable day in the charming grounds of the Chiltern Open Air Museum!!

The Details

Time: 10am to 4pm
Maximum places: 4

What you need to bring

• Your sewing machine and accessories

There will be an hour’s lunch break, so please bring your own packed lunch or purchase a light lunch in the Museum’s Village Kitchen

Your investment

£125 (includes materials for apron project)

There are only 4 places available so book now to avoid disappointment.

Linda says - 'Had a fabulous day today upskilling myself on my sewing machine! An absolutely brilliant day with the bery talented (and patient!) sewing goddess Vee Tanner of Vee's Sewing Journeys. Really learned a lot today and improved my efforts considerably with the sewing machine. Lots of practice stuff to start and then created a lovely apron from start to finish with Vee's expert guidance. If you've got a sewing machine that you're not confident using, you need a refresher or you would just like to improve your sewing machine skills this workshop is perfect!' 

Sew Sustainable: Learn Repair Skills to Reduce Waste

Location: Elliot’s Workshop
Length of workshop: 2 hours
Maximum number of participants: 8
Minimum age of participants: 12 years (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Times: 10am to 12noon

The Sew Sustainable Workshop is for environmentally conscious people who want to learn how to repair their own and their family’s clothes without the need for a sewing machine so they get a longer life out of them, and therefore reduce waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

In this 2 hour in-person workshop, you will learn and practise how to:

• Easily thread a needle and do some simple hand stitches so that you can neatly repair split seams and dropped hems in any garment 
• Sew a replacement button on perfectly and firmly so that you never have to feel bad discarding a garment because of a missing button.
• A fool proof method to cleanly and securely start and end your stitches so that the thread doesn’t unravel your good handiwork and repairs.

The session is led by experienced tutor and costume maker Vee Tanner. The course is very hands-on.

What is included:

• Entrance into the Museum
• Tuition from our experienced costume maker Vee Tanner
• All materials

You are welcome to bring your own sewing kit on the day, and/or use our kit. There will be an opportunity to purchase a basic sewing kit to take away on the day if you choose.

Vee Tanner is a costume maker leading our volunteer sewing team recreating costumes for our costumed engagement team. She has over 35 years of experience designing and sewing an array of garments and costumes. She founded Sew Bee Yourself, an online sewing club for budding dressmakers to improve their sewing skills.

Macrame Workshop

Take part in our Macrame workshop. Macrame is a form of textile art using knotting. It's a versatile craft that can be used to create various decorative items such as plant hangers, wall hangings, and jewellery. This workshop will teach the basics of macrame and guide you in making a plant hanger.

Workshop Overview

An Introduction to Macrame

o   The instructor will start by introducing the history and basic principles of macrame.

o   You will learn about the different types of macrame cords, materials, and tools used in the craft.

Understanding Knots

o   The instructor will explain and demonstrate some of the most common macrame knots, such as the square knot, spiral knot, larks head knot, and double half-hitch knot.

o   You will practice these knots using practice cords or scrap materials until you feel comfortable with them.

Planning the Design

o   Once you are familiar with the knots, the instructor will guide you in designing your plant hanger.

o   You will learn about measurement techniques, determining cord lengths, and adding decorative elements if desired.

Macrame Plant Hanger

o   You will start working on your plant hanger using the cords provided.

o   The instructor will demonstrate each step and explain any additional techniques specific to the chosen design.

o   You will follow along, knot by knot, until your plant hanger starts to take shape.

Troubleshooting and Tips

o   The instructor will be available to answer any questions and provide troubleshooting tips throughout the process.

o   They will offer suggestions on how to fix mistakes or enhance your design.

Finishing Touches

o   The instructor will guide you in securing the cords and trimming any excess.

o   They will also discuss sizing and adjusting the plant hanger to fit different pot sizes.

Finalising the Project

o   Once you have completed your plant hanger, the instructor will teach you how to add a decorative flourish to the tassel.

o   You will have the opportunity to ask any final questions and seek guidance on any finishing touches.

By the end of the workshop, you will have designed and created your very own macrame plant hanger that you can take home. You will have gained foundational knowledge and skills in macrame techniques, enabling you to explore and create more intricate projects in the future.

Workshop Details

Timings: 10am until 1pm
Maximum number of participants: 12 people
Location: Elliott’s Workroom at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Minimum age of participant: 18 years
Cost: £50 per person

Go back to the Bronze Age and make your own axe head

Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in bronze. We will safely instruct you how to create your own axe head in solid bronze. You will have the choice of three styles, including the axe-head used by 'Otzi'. After watching a demonstration by cast-master Jonathan Cope, we will help you create your own sand mould ready for casting. Our furnace will then be fired to heat - 1,000 degrees! to melt the bronze. Whilst waiting you will learn more about the Bronze Age and handle some replicas. Jonathan will then pour the liquid bronze into the prepared moulds. Each participant will then break their bronze axes out of the moulds and quench to cool in water - lots of steam! After admiring your creation (photo -op) you can start work cleaning and polishing with provided tools and PPE - final finish is down to how much effort you put in. Your axe can be decorated, by you, with metal stamps if you wish. Welcome to the Bronze Age!

Workshop Details

Timings: 10.30am until 3pm
Maximum number of participants: 14 people
Location: Northolt Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Age range: Ages 10-14 with an accompanying adult and solo participants aged 14+
Cost: £85 per person

Mindfulness can be a useful tool in managing mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, however it does not suit everyone. If you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms then mindfulness may not be suitable. We recommend that those who are under the mental health team, or experiencing challenging mental health issues, discuss the appropriateness of the practice with their health care professional before booking

An Introduction to Mindfulness

Our introductory half-day course in Mindfulness offers you an opportunity to learn how to relate more effectively to life’s challenges. You will learn strategies to help you ground and be present which can reduce stress and anxiety.

You will learn what mindfulness is and is not, the benefits of regular mindful practice and how to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life. There will be opportunities to practice mindful exercises, including meditation, throughout our beautiful museum grounds.

Anna Schofield is a highly experienced educator and artist and has been a mindfulness teacher for many years. Anna really enjoys combining mindfulness with the benefits of being outdoors in nature to bring about a sense of peace and stillness.

What is included:

• Entrance into the Museum
• Expert tuition and guidance from our experienced course leader
• All materials

Length of workshop:10.30am-1pm
Starting Location: Arborfield Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Minimum age: 18 years
Number of participants: Up to 12
Cost: £35 per person

Join "Craftperson in Residence" David Willis for this 3 hour session where you will learn about the woodlands at the museum, the safe and effective use of sharp tools, and craft a wooden utensil.

David is a teacher of Bushcraft and Wilderness Living Skills. He can often be found baking bread and rustling up tasty meals over a campfire, whittling spoons, foraging for edibles, walking in the woods and soaking up everything nature has to offer. 

David served with the Royal Engineers in Belize, spent time living alongside the Maasai in the Rift Valley and learning from the Bushman of the Kalahari, motorcycled around Europe, built and paddled his canoe along British rivers, and loves heading out on adventures. 

David now loves teaching adults and children, sharing the skills needed to enjoy living life and having fun outdoors!

Course content:

• Woodland walk to learn about the trees and harvest a branch of wood for carving projects
• Learn safe and effective wood carving techniques using the knives and saws provided
• Whittle a utensil(s) from wood sourced in the museums woodland to take home

Workshop Details

Timings: 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Maximum number of participants: 4 people
Location: Arborfield Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Minimum age of participant: 18 years
Cost: £60 per person

Immerse yourself in this wonderful workshop discovering the Magic of Watercolours!

Our journey begins by exploring watercolour paints and painting techniques and ends in creating a finished work of art to take home and enjoy.

The workshop is very much about learning and sharing/practising new skills to build your confidence in painting with watercolours, whilst having fun and meeting new friends.

Guided teaching by experienced tutor provided throughout together with all materials.

Suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to those wanting to refresh their skills, or just have a fun guided painting session.

Workshop Details

Timings: 12.00pm to 3.30pm
Maximum number of participants: 10 people
Location: Elliott’s Workroom at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Minimum age of participant: 18 years